Rhode Island Hospital Beats Medical Suit Missing Expert Opinion

A spinal surgery patient lacks the expert testimony to go to trial on claims that a Rhode Island hospital was liable for the alleged negligence of a doctor whom it had credentialed.

Brian Dockray failed to introduce testimony explaining the standard of care applicable to the doctor or the hospital and how their actions breached that standard, the Rhode Island Supreme Court said Thursday.

Expert testimony is required in Rhode Island to prove a case of medical malpractice unless the lack of care is so evident as to be obvious to a layperson, the court said in affirming summary judgment ...